Welcome to KIRDI

Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute (KIRDI) is a national research institute established in 1979 under the Ministry of Trade and Industry and mandated to undertake multidisciplinary research and development in industrial and allied technologies. The Research and Technological Innovation (RTI) department handles the institute’s core objectives. The major RTI divisions are: Engineering, Energy and Environment, ICT, Leather & Textiles, and Food Technology Divisions.

Our Vision

To be a global Centre of Excellence in Industrial, Research, Technology and Innovation

Our Mission

To undertake Industrial Research and Transfer Innovative Technologies for Socio-Economic Development

Institutional Strategic Objectives (2016-2021)

Transformational Industrial Research Technology & Innovation

Operational Excellence

Financial Sustainability

Organizational Capacity

Background

Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute (KIRDI) is a national research institution established in 1979 under the Science and Technology Ac Cap. 250 of the Laws of Kenya (now repealed and replaced by the Science, Technology & Innovation Act, 2013) and mandated to undertake multidisciplinary research and development in industrial and allied technologies including:

Mechanical Engineering

Energy and Power Resources

Leather Technologies

Textile Technology

Industrial Chemistry Environment

Chemical Engineering

Electrical Engineering

Food Technology

Ceramics and Clay Technologies

Information Communication & Technology (ICT)

Mining

The history of KIRDI dates back to 1942, when the then colonial government set a Central Laboratory at Kabete, Nairobi.

The laboratory aim was to initiate and develop industries to relieve he industrial goods shortages occasioned by the Second World War.

The laboratory was administered by the Kenya Industrial Management Board (KIMBO)

As the laboratory expanded, it was renamed the East African Industrial Research Organization (EAIRO) and later, its management was taken over by the East African Community (EAC).

EAIRO, the predecessor of present day KIRDI has Centres in; Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania

It however, ceased its operations in 1977, following the collapse of the then East African Community.

In 1977, an act of Parliament establishing the National Council of Science and Technology (NCST) was amended to establish KIRDI and 5 other research Institutes. This ac has been repealed and replaced with the STI Act 2013.